Leakage-testing device



1,681,551 R. E. MILLER LEAKAGE TESTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 30. 1927 INVENTOR RAYMOND E MIL LEH ATTOR EY Patented Aug. 21, 1928.

warren STATE-S PATENT OFFICE.

RAYMOND E. MILLER, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A SSIGNOR TO THE WEST:

INGI-IOUSE AIR BRAKE COMPANY, BQRATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

OF \VILMEBDING, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR- LEAKAGE-TESTING DEVICE.

Application filed September 30, 1927. Serial No. 222,998.

The principal object of my invention is to' provide a portable device for testing the brakes on a railwav train and for determ1n1n u D V the extent of brake pipe leakage.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a sectional View of a testing device embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a plan view of one of the rotary valves employed in the testing device; Fig. 8 a sectional. view of the other rotary valve employed in the testing device, showing the valve in its slow charging position; and Fig. 1 a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the rotary valve in its brake appl1cation position. i

'As shown in Fig. 1, the testing device may comprise a maincasting 1 having a valve seat for a rotary valve 2 and a valve seat for a rotary valve 3. The valve 2 is enclosed by a cap 1 secured to the casting l and is operatively connected to a stem 5 which extends through an opening in the cap 1 and is provided with a hand wheel 6. The valve 3 is enclosed b a ca 7 secured to the castin 1- supply pipe 1 1 is connected to a passage 15 leading to the gage 10 and also to the rotary valve chamber 16.

A plurality of ports 17 are provided in the rotary valve 2, which ports are adapted to register with passage 13, according to the position ot the valve 2, the ports 17 being of ditlerentflow areas. The wheel 6 is preterably marked with numerals from 10 to 100 in multiples of 10 to indicate the number 01 cars in the train.

In operatii'in, the pipe 12 is connected to the brake pipe of the train to be tested and the pipe 1 1 to a source of fluid pressure supply and the hand Wheel. is set for the number of cars in the train to be tested. For example, the hand wheel is shown in the drawing as set for a train of 10 cars, with the port 17 of the smallest flow area registering with the passage 13.

The rotary valve handle 9 is now turned to its quick charging posit-ion. as shown in Fi g. 1 of the drawing, in which a port 18 of the rotary valve 3 registers with passage 13. Fluid under pressure from the supply pipe lt as supplied to the rotary valve chamber 16 then flows through port 18 and passage 13 to passage 11 and through pipe 12 to the brake pipe of the train. l'Vhen the brake pipe pressure has been increased to a predetermined degree, say 70 pounds, as indicated by the gage 10, the rotary valve 3 is moved by the handle 9 to its slowcharging position, as indicated in Fig. 3. In this position, a through port 19 in the rotary valve 3 registers with a passage 20 leading to the valve chai'nber 21. Fluid under pressure is thus supplied from rotary valve chamber 16 to rotary valve chamber 21 and flows from valve chamber 21 through the port 17 which is now in registry 'with passage 13. Fluid under pressure is thus supplied to the brake pipe at a predetermined rate, and onehand ot the gage 10 Will indicate the pressure of fluid in passage 11 and the brake pipe, while the other hand of the will indicate the supply pressure. The pressure dil'l erence as shown between the pointers of the gage, is a measure 01 the extent of brake pipe leakage and knowing the pressure difference, the leakage can be determined by calculation, or by the use o't previously calculated tables. It the brake pipe leakage be toun d excessive, the train may be inspected and the leaks stopped or leaky cars may be set out oi the train. hen the brake pipe leakage has been reduced to within the desired limits, this will be evidenced by the reduction in the pressure difference as .indicated by the gage.

If the train is to be tested for defective brakes, the brake pipe is charged with fluid under pressure to the standard pressure to be carried in the train, by moving the rotary valve 8 to its quick charging position. The rotary valve 3 is then shifted to application position. as shown in Fig. 4:, in which passage 13 is connected, through a cavity 22, to a pass- 23, which is connected to the atinos 'ahere,

through a restricted port 24 in plug 25. Fluid then vented from the brake pipe at a service rate, as determined by the port 2%, and it any triple valve on a car of the train tails to respond to the reduction in brake pipe pressure, the car may be set out for repairs or the trouble may be overcome while the car remains in the train.

After the brakes ot the train have been tested tor applying, the brakes may be tested for releasing, by moving the rotary valve 8 to its slow charging position and then the cars are noted in which the brakes tail to re lease properly.

I have thus provided a portable testing de vice by which. a train may be tested in the yard. before the locomotive is attached and assurance will be had that the brakes, on the train will apply and release properly and that the leakage from the brake pipe is not.

excessive.

lVhile one illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it is not my intention to limit its scope to that embodiment or otherwise than by the termsof the appended claims.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A brake testing device for testing the leakage of fluid troni the brakesysteni of a train comprising a brake pipe and a valve having a plurality of ports through one of which fluid under pressure is supplied to the brake pipe at a rate corresponding with the length of the train.

2. A brake testing device for testingthe leakage of fluid from the brake system of a train comprising a brake pipe and a valve having a plurality oi ports and movable to diiierent positions for charging the brake pipe with fluid under pressure through. one ot saie ports, which port is adapted to supply fluid at a rate corresponding with the length of train to be tested.

A brake testing device for testing the leakage oi fluid from the brake system of a train comprising a brake pipe and a valve having a plurality of ports oi diflcrent flow areas to correspond with ditlcrent lengths of,

source of fluid under pressure, a rotary valve having a position for supplying fluid under pressure from said source through aport-ot predetermined area to the brake pipe, and a second rotary valve having a position for supplying fluid under pressure from said source to the first rotary valve.

7. A brake testing device comprising a member having connection to the brake pipe of a fluid pressure brake system and to a source of fluid under pressure, a rotary valve having a position for supplying fluid under pressure trorn said source through a port of predetermined area to the brake pipe, and a second rotary valve having one position for supplying fluid under pressure from. said source to the first rotary valve and another position in which fluid underpressure is supplied directly to the brake pipe through a large port. p

8. A brake testing device comprising a member having connection to the brake pipe of a fluid pressure brake system and to a source of fluid under pressure, a rotary valve having a position for supplying fluid under pressure from said source through a port of predetermined area to the brake pipe, and a second rotary valve having a position for supplying fluid from said source directly to the brake pipe, a position for venting fluid from the brake pipe, and a position for connecting. said source of fluid under pressure to the first rotary valve.

, The combination with the brake pipe of a fluid pressure valve system and a source of. fluid under pressure, of a testing device comprising a valve having a plurality of ports of ditlerent flow areas, any one of which may be connected to supply fluid from said source to the brake pipe, a valve for connecting said source or fluid under pressure to the first valve, and a pressure gage tor indicating the pressure of said source and also the pressure developed in the brake pipe.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RAYMOND E. MILLER. 

